MICHELLE VELASTEGUI

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Michelle fell in love with theater at the age of 13 when she played an orphan in her schools “Best of Broadway”.  She loved the sound of the audience and the feeling she got when people were “entertained”.  By 8th grade, Michelle was choreographing and costuming and, though her college life took her to the field of business, her heart stayed true to community theater. She became involved with then “The Lynchburg Fine Arts Center” and worked on all areas of production, props, costumes, set construction, stage managing, etc. Michelle is dedicated to providing more opportunities for the Central Virginia community to perform in a family friendly environment through MasterWorx Theater.

DENISE THOMAS

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Originally from rural North Carolina, Denise fell in love with story as she listened to her dad and uncle weave yarns about growing up on the farm. In one way or another, she’s always created stories and has seen first-hand the power of the spoken word to stir the human heart. Denise is especially fascinated by how the stories we tell reflect and shape who we are.

Denise has worked in most aspects of theatre and, since 2007, has been part of the creative team for the Virginia Christmas Spectacular, writing, stage managing, and now directing. Whether coaching a student interpretation of dramatic literature or directing a “cast of thousands”, she loves seeing a creative idea evolve into a staged production.

DEBORAH WARE

Production manager/photographer

Deborah Ware moved to Lynchburg in 2016 with her husband, Jay, and their three children. She has a passion for the arts and the community. She is thrilled to be able to support Masterworx through her business, Deborah Ware Photography, to capture images on and off the stage. When she’s not homeschooling her children, you can find her behind the camera at various venues around Lynchburg.